Governor's Office for Local DevelopmentGOVERNOR FLETCHER ANNOUNCES NEARLY $1 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Press Release Date:

Friday, February 09, 2007

Contact Information:

Lanny BrannockAndi JohnsonPublic Information Officer1-800-346-5606

GOVERNOR FLETCHER ANNOUNCES NEARLY $1 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR SHELBY COUNTY COMMUNITY PROJECTS

Funding will be used to renovate downtown, improve public safety and repair roads

FRANKFORT, Ky. —Governor Ernie Fletcher today awarded nearly $1 million in community development funding to Shelby County officials for renovations to downtown buildings, improvements in public safety infrastructure and repairs to county roadways. The Governor announced the funding during a visit to the Stratton Center in downtown Shelbyville.

“Investing in economic growth, improving communications among local law enforcement and making roadways safer for travel represent areas which are critical to a community’s development,” said Governor Fletcher. “My administration remains committed to building strong communities across the Commonwealth and improving the quality of life for all Kentuckians”

$150,000 Renaissance on Main façade grant

Governor Fletcher awarded a $150,000 Renaissance on Main façade grant to the city of Shelbyville.

Renaissance on Main, formerly Renaissance Kentucky, is a community revitalization grant program that provides cities with funding to restore and maintain their downtown areas. The grant program focuses on promoting economic development and preserving local heritage.

“We want our downtown to be beautiful and thrive,” said Sen. Gary Tapp (R-Waddy). “This project demonstrates how state and local officials are working together to preserve important local heritage. The restorations will help shape a brighter future for this community with new jobs and economic growth in the heart of the city.”

Plans are in the works to restore 16 commercial and six residential buildings in the Shelbyville downtown corridor.

“These renovations will spark much needed inspiration and pride for folks in this area,” said Rep. Brad Montell (R-Shelbyville). “We want our downtown to look great, and these funds will help us make Shelbyville a better place to live and work.”

Façade grant funds are available for certified Renaissance on Main communities through a competitive application process. The façade grant program is a reimbursement program available to building owners within the Renaissance on Main district. Building owners submit applications to the local Renaissance program for a 50 percent reimbursement on façade work to their buildings.

The Renaissance on Main program is a partnership with the Kentucky Heritage Council/Main Street Program, the Kentucky Department of Tourism, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, the Kentucky League of Cities, the Kentucky Housing Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati and the Governor’s Office (GOLD). GOLD is responsible for administering the program.

$303,471 State Homeland Security grant

Governor Ernie Fletcher awarded a $303,471 Homeland Security grant to Shelby County officials to purchase communications equipment for first responders, mobile data computers for local law enforcement and fund upgrades to the local 9-1-1 center.

“Ensuring the safety and security of Kentuckians is one of my administration’s top priorities,” said Governor Fletcher. “Effective communication is essential to enabling our public safety personnel to prevent crime and respond more quickly to emergencies.”

$106,254 will be used to upgrade the computer aided dispatch system for the Shelby County 9-1-1 center. This system automates much of the information sent to emergency responders, shortening response time.

$20,418 will be used to strengthen emergency voice communications capabilities within the county for all fire, sheriff and police departments.

$176,799 will purchase mobile data computers for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, the Shelbyville Police Department and the Simpsonville Police Department.

Since 2004, Shelbyville and Shelby County officials have received more than $850,000 in state Homeland Security funds.

$445,000 for transportation improvement projects

Governor Fletcher presented ceremonial checks totaling $445,000 to Shelby County officials for transportation improvement projects. The Governor announced $300,000 in Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) bond funding to finance various resurfacing projects on county roads and the Christiansburg Road bridge replacement.

The Governor awarded $145,000 in KYTC maintenance funds for repairs along US 60. The project includes pavement repairs from the west end of Dry Run culvert extending east to the bridge end. This section is less than a quarter mile but is part of an overall project to make improvements along the US 60 corridor.

“Governor Fletcher’s bold leadership is allowing unprecedented investment for highway construction throughout the Commonwealth,” said Transportation Cabinet Secretary Bill Nighbert. “These projects exemplify our efforts to work cooperatively with local governments to improve safety and pave the way toward improved economic opportunities for all Kentuckians.”

Work on the projects is expected to begin as soon as weather conditions permit.